The key to this 5 ingredient simple ranch dressing is dried buttermilk powder! It may sound like something only posh chefs would use but it is widely available in the baking aisle in most grocery stores. It keeps on the shelf for a long time and can be used in various ways in the kitchen—cakes, dressings, cornbreads, pancakes, etc.
The Buttermilk Dressing Base
To make our simple buttermilk dressing base:
- ¼ cup dried buttermilk powder
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (fat content is up to you)
- Juice of a large lemon or more to taste
- Milk (to thin mixture to desired consistency.)
Blend, Mix, or Shake thoroughly.
Your dressing will thicken in the refrigerator as it sits.
Play with it!!
For Buttermilk Peppercorn Ranch Dressing
- Add 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp fresh ground peppercorns
- 2 Tbsp fresh grated parmesan cheese
For Green Goddess Ranch Dressing
- Add 1 tsp garlic powder
- Add a combination of finely chopped, fresh leafy green herbs to equal 1 cup (such as fresh chopped dill, fresh chopped tarragon, fresh chopped chives, fresh chopped basil, fresh chopped parsley
For Southwest Ranch Dressing
Substitute Lime Juice for the Lemon in the base recipe
- Add 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1-2 Tbsp Chili powder
- ½ tsp Cumin
- Hot sauce to taste
Alternatively, simply add some of your favorite salsa to the base ranch dressing and, ole’!
For Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Add 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 whole avocado mashed or blended
- 3 scallions chopped finely
- ¼ cup finely chopped dill weed
- ¼ cup finely chopped parsley